Best Bar None - the UK's national awards scheme for best practice in the licensed trade

Shrewsbury nightclub C:21 has been named the county’s Best Bar None Gold Award winner for 2010.

 At the annual awards ceremony at Theatre Severn last night(FEB 8), the Abbey Foregate venue was awarded the Best Nightclub accolade before being named overall winner.

 Ashley’s Bar in Shrewsbury was named Best Bar/Pub, with The Salopian Bar coming in as runner up.

 The Bradford Arms in Llanymynech won Best Community Pub, with The Grapes in Shrewsbury as runner up.

 Reflex was runner up in the Best Night Club category.

Tony Mantle, West Mercia Police’s Licensing Officer for Shropshire, welcomed owners, managers and staff from the 20 silver award-winning nominees and praised all of them for their efforts over the past year.

 “All the premises made a real effort this year, with some going from the lowest bronze classification to achieving silver status, the highest you can get in the assessment stage,” he said.

 “The overall Gold Award winner will be invited to a reception at the House of Lords this summer.”

 Chief Inspector Martin Whitelegg, who handed out the awards, also praised all those who had joined the scheme and worked so hard to gain the prestigious silver status.

 “Of the 23 premises assessed, 20 achieved silver status, which is a testament to the hard work of the staff and we are here to celebrate that success,” he said.

 “They have been acting properly, running tight ships and are a great example of the high standards to other premises who might not yet be part of Best Bar None but are looking to join.”